I may be moving back to Houston next fall and I was wondering if there are any high energy piano bars there like Howl at the Moon in San Antonio or Pete's Piano bar in Austin. I know that there used to be a dueling piano bar at City Streets but they've closed. Anyway, I was just curious since I may be looking for a job there. And if there's not one, I may be interested in opening one up.
I've been to a Howl at the Moon in Cleveland. My wife and I have said many times that they would make a killing if they would open one of those out in Kemah.
Yeah - I used to play at Pete's in Austin. They have one in Dallas now, which I hear is doing extremely well. Even though I'm living in Austin, I'm having to drive down to San Antonio to work at Pat O'briens down there. There are at least 4 cool non-traditional piano bars in San Antonio and for all that I've heard there are none in Houston. I agree that if there was one in Houston, it would make a killing. Kemah has been suggested. Are there any other places in the Houston area that have entertainment districts or high tourist traffic where a dueling piano bar would thrive?
I think it would do well in the village area-i might be interested in joining in with you on this venture lol
There's a few places I think it'd work well. Downtown, obviously, as well as Rice Village, Galleria area, and Westchase.
Cool, thanks for the input. It all depends on where my fiance gets into law school. We're hoping for UT law so we can stay here in Austin, but she's currently on the Hold list, so we're in limbo. If that doesn't work out then it's most likely Houston. If I can't find a gig there I may just make one. We'll see.
Shoot me an email if your interested in seriously opening one up in Houston, I go to UT, Senior in 5 year ppa program now, but am doing an internship in Houston until march and have grown up here and will probably live here. Dstein@uhy-us.com
You can meet slutty tramps at the Doubletree Galleria. I'm just sayin. The Briar Patch could give you a new, fun, experience. Lots of show tune fans.
Are there any people out there in the bar ownership business. I know that Stack owns a bar downtown, which I hope to visit one day when I'm in Houston. I'm curious to know what I would be getting myself into by opening a club there in Houston. Ideally, it would be geared to the 25 and up crowd. Earlier in the night it would be 35+ age, but get younger as the night wears on. I'd also like to serve a medium priced menu of foods early, until maybe 10:00 so that I could bring in a crowd early. Depending upon the location and availablilty of players, I'd probably have the dueling piano show Wednesday through Saturday at first. Hopefully building up to 7 nights a week like Howl at the Moon in San Antonio. There's a lot to deal with for a project like this, but I feel that a dueling piano bar in Houston would be very successful. I'm just surprised that there isn't already one there.
Speaking of Bars.... Anyone know where I can get a good Bloody Mary in Houston? I was in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, and this hole in the wall bar has got me hooked on them.
glad-ken I had a great bloody May at Brennan's on Smith, near old 59 on ramp and found out it was a mix available at Spec's called "Zing-Zang". Amazement from a mix!! Make them at home with lime and a celery stick- instant party!!!! I've heard the JW Marriot has a bartender that makes a scratch bloody Mary that is excellent. I had a really good one downtown at the 12 Spot bar -bartender Felipe- Congress @ Travis near the Ikon hotel.
I really would be interested in going into this venture with you, if your serious about it let me know.
It's nine o'clock on a Saturday The Regular crowd shuffles in There's an old man sitting next to me Makin' love to his tonic and gin He says, "Son, can you play me a memory I'm not really sure how it goes But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete When I wore a younger mans clothes" Now John at the bar is a friend of mine He gets me my drinks for free And he's quick with a joke or to light up your smoke But there's someplace that he'd rather be He says, "bill, I believe this is killing me." As the smile ran away from his face "Well I'm sure that I could be a movie star If I could get out of this place" Now Paul is a real estate novelist Who never had time for a wife And he's talkin' with Davy, who's still in the navy And probably will be for life And the waitress is practicing politics As the businessmen slowly get stoned Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness But it's better than drinkin' alone It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday And the manager gives me a smile 'Cause he knows that it's me they've been comin' to see To forget about life for a while And the piano, it sounds like a carnival And the microphone smells like a beer And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar And say, "Man, what are you doin' here." sing us a song you're the piano man sing us a song tonight well we're all in the mood for a melody and you got us feeling alright
Ok, I'm gonna have to pick some of this up. Kind of on the same subject, what type of vodka do you guys prefer with your bloody mary's? I've always been a big Grey Goose fan, but last time I was in Specs that had samples of a vodka from the Ukraine called Shustoff. This stuff is about the same price as Grey Goose, but it's even smoother. Check it out if you like a good quality vodka.
I was in the bar business for 9 years, opened up several, and have some investment monies in about 3 or 4 here in Austin. A piano bar is a fantastic venue as it is good fun for all ages. Not sure where you would have good foot traffic in Houston, but good luck. DD
